PHILADELPHIA, Jan. 13, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Just in time to kick off New Year's health resolutions, Medicare Advantage members in the Philadelphia area whose health plans offer the Silver&Fit program can now join certain local Y's at no cost or low cost. This is possible because the Daniel B. Boyer YMCA and the William S. Hollenbach YMCA, which are two new branches of the Philadelphia Freedom Valley YMCA network, are participating in the Silver&Fit program. Through Silver&Fit, eligible members can also access exercise classes, including Silver&Fit-endorsed Aqua for Arthritis, for no additional cost. Medicare Advantage members who are interested in joining one of these Ys should contact their health plan to see if they qualify for the no cost or low cost memberships available through Silver&Fit.

Silver&Fit currently provides exercise and healthy aging programs to more than 50 Medicare Advantage plans nationwide, covering nearly 2 million Medicare beneficiaries. The program is available at over 10,000 fitness facilities across the country, ranging from large, national fitness chains to YMCAs to smaller, regional facilities.

The YMCA is one of the nation's leading nonprofits strengthening communities through youth development, healthy living and social responsibility. The Daniel B. Boyer YMCA is located at 301 West Spring Street in Boyertown, PA. For more information, call 610-369-9622. The William S. Hollenbach YMCA is located at 3065 N Charlotte Street in Gilbertsville, PA 19525. For more information, call 610-754-7010.

"We are happy to welcome two new branches of the Philadelphia Freedom Valley YMCA to the Silver&Fit family," stated George DeVries, chairman and CEO of American Specialty Health. "Clinical research has demonstrated that older adults who exercise routinely can maintain, or even improve, their health. And regular exercise may slow the progression of certain health conditions, such as obesity, hypertension, depression, arthritis, back pain or heart disease."

About the Silver&Fit Exercise & Healthy Aging Program

The Silver&Fit program is an exercise and healthy aging program providing unique, evidence-based fitness, health education and healthy living activities for Medicare beneficiaries and group retirees. Silver&Fit members have access to: no-cost or low-cost memberships at a participating, contracted fitness club or exercise center, or to the Silver&Fit Home Fitness Program for those unable to participate at a fitness facility or who prefer to work out at home; SilverandFit.com, a website with a variety of health tools and resources specifically designed for older adults; The Silver Slate® quarterly newsletter; and a toll-free customer service hotline. Follow Silver&Fit on Twitter @SilverandFit, YouTube at www.youtube.com/silverandfit, Facebook at www.facebook.com/SilverandFit, Instagram @SilverandFit, and Pinterest at www.pinterest.com/silverandfit. The Silver&Fit program is a product of American Specialty Health Fitness, Inc., a subsidiary of American Specialty Health Incorporated (ASH).

About American Specialty Health

American Specialty Health Incorporated (ASH) is one of the nation's premier independent and privately-owned specialty health services organizations, providing specialty health care networks and programs, fitness and exercise programs and population health solutions for health plans, insurance carriers and employer groups. Operating from offices in San Diego, Calif., Southlake (Dallas), Texas, Carmel (Indianapolis), Ind. and Columbia, S.C., ASH has more than 1,100 employees and administers services for nearly 34 million members nationwide. Additional products offered through ASH and its subsidiaries include Healthyroads®, FitnessCoach™, Active&Fit®, ExerciseRewardsTM and others. For more information about ASH, visit www.ashcompanies.com or call 800-848-3555. Follow us on LinkedIn or Twitter at @ASHCompanies.